Mr. Speaker, I am in receipt of Return to Written Question 4-15(4) asked by Mr. Yakeleya to the Honourable Joseph Handley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, regarding initiatives to strengthen the Northwest Territories.

The honourable Member inquired into whether the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to using initiatives such as devolution, resource revenue sharing and the Northern Strategy to strengthen the whole of the Northwest Territories. Throughout the 15th Legislative Assembly, I have reaffirmed the GNWT commitment to using these initiatives to build a strong and sustainable territory for the benefit of all residents. This represents a major goal of the GNWT and one that will be tirelessly pursued.

The GNWT believes that a stronger territory and more sustainable communities will take shape primarily as a result of the successful completion of a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement. There are currently a number of major initiatives underway, all of which will shape the future of the NWT in significant ways. No matter how we advance the various initiatives, devolution and resource revenue sharing will be a key approach in strengthening the whole NWT, because it will transfer control of northern resources to the NWT and establish new intergovernmental relationships among NWT governments. The Northern Strategy also has potential to benefit the NWT through specific federal and territorial programming initiatives. The initiatives are linked and are closely coordinated. The Northern Strategy is more immediate, but I have stated clearly that it should not proceed in the absence of a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement-in-principle.

Concrete steps are being taken to strengthen northern government and to build strong and sustainable communities, all of which will shape the future of the NWT in significant ways. This includes devolution and resource revenue sharing, the negotiation of a socioeconomic development impact fund and the Northern Strategy. As there are linkages, the GNWT is attempting to ensure that these initiatives are developed in parallel.

The GNWT and aboriginal governments are negotiating a bilateral agreement in conjunction with the devolution and resource revenue sharing AIP in particular, that will set out the parameters for cooperation on resource management and establish a political forum that reflects this new government-to-government relationship. Working together in areas of mutual interest towards mutual benefit, while respecting each other's jurisdictions, will serve as the basis for this relationship. This bilateral agreement and the resource revenue sharing arrangements will strengthen the relationship among NWT governments and ensure we maximize resource development benefits for all NWT residents by cooperating and coordinating management responsibilities on both private settlement lands and public lands.

My role as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in coordinating these processes is, first and foremost, to develop strong relationships amongst our NWT governments. Working in a respectful and collaborative manner while pursuing common goals will benefit all northerners through the conclusion of these agreements. The Northern Strategy, in particular the NWT chapter, was developed with input from Caucus, the Aboriginal Summit, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and many individuals and stakeholders from across the NWT. Our GNWT line departments are currently negotiating specific actions for the territorial and federal governments to undertake together under the Northern Strategy. We expect a final draft shortly.

I will be able to answer questions like these in greater detail upon completion of a devolution and resource revenue sharing AIP. At present, the details are still being negotiated and I am unable to provide additional information without jeopardizing the negotiation process.

The Member's question confirms to me the significance of devolution for the NWT and how devolution along with the

conclusion of lands, resources and self-government negotiations in all regions of the NWT will benefit aboriginal peoples of the NWT, the NWT as a whole, and Canada by equipping northerners with the tools to achieve a higher degree of self-reliance.